Occupant propelled roundabout



y 1950 J. s. EVANS 2,516,049

OCCUPANT PROPELLED ROUNDABOUT Filed April 18, 1946 IN VEN TOR. WAm rw (QM flflaam/ ATTORNEY.

Patented July 18, 1950 STATES PATENT OFFICE 5' Claims.

This invention relates'generally to amusement devices and more particularly to a horizontally rotating whirl-around deviceof the type where iii-motive power is-furnished bya passenger.

One of the objects 'of the present invention is toprovide a novel whirl-around device especially forthe' enjoyment 'of small children, which is easy to operate, requiresa minimum amount of space, and "can be'used indoors and outdoors at recreation centers, playgrounds, nurseries, in audi'toriums, on lawns, and in large living rooms. "Another object ofthe invention is to provide a 'novel'whirl-around "device which is simple in construction andcan be manufactured at a relatively low cost:

Ancther'object' isito soconstruct a device of the abovecharacter thata rigid and durable structure -is "produced by relatively few parts throughi'jnovel arrangement and" association thereof. 7

A further object is to provide an amusement device having a whirling frame of novel construction which canbe safely suspended from the top of a ma'stfor free rotation about the same in a horizontal plane. I

A still further -object is-to' provide a novel portable whirl around device constructed in a minimum numberof-units that canbe assembled and disassembled -withfacility for easy movement or storage. I

The 'above 'and further objects and novel features'of "the invention will more fully appear from the'following detailed description when the sameis-read inco'nnection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, tha'tthedr'awings are for the purpose of illustrationonly, and are not intended as a definition of thelimits of the invention, reference for this latter purpose being had primarily to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters referfto like parts "throughout the several views, Y I

Fig. l'is atop plan view, of a whirl-around device constructed inaccordance with the present invention Figalsa side Q'e levation of said device.

Fig-Bis an enlargedfragmentary vertical sectiOILzDf the whlrling-frameshown in Fig. I and taken onthe line 3- 3 thereof, and Fig. 3A is a similar viewbut ofrthe supporting base shown in;Fig..1 and taken on the line 3A- 3A thereof, said-views being combined for purposes of clearer illustrationyend. 1 y Y "Fig- 4 is an enlarged vertical transverse secporting base consisting of a centrally disposed split bracket or spider E- that is formed-"with" four radially extending tubular arms I from which project four tubular metallic, preferably steel, rods 8. Rods Bare removably secured to spider 6 by suitable means, such as, by bolts 9 which pass through arms I and through saidrods and have threaded thereon nuts 10. By tightening nuts 10 the two-halves of spider t are drawn together, thus securely clamping rods'B therebetween, and since the bolts 9 also pass through said rods the latter are additionally held by said bolts against relativerotation andagainst accidental endwise displacement from spider fi. The arms 7 of spider 6 are slightlyinclined downwardly resulting ina corresponding inclination to rods 8. In this manner thefree ends only of rods 8 contact the floor. or other foundation, thus providinga more stable support and at the same time locating the spider. 6 abovettthel floor line to prevent marring. of. the floor .or. rug when the whirl-around device is. used indoors; By virtuesof the: four point contact .of .rods;8 with the floor or foundation, the whirl-.aroundlde-r vice can yield somewhat under the;load thereon which tends to. absorb any: shockand, hence, cushion the operation of said device'to provide a more comfortable and enjoyable ride; The free ends of rods 3 are preferably provided withrubber tips I! to hold the whirlearound device against creeping movement. during operation thereof and also tov eliminate marring' of. the floor by said rods. It will be understood that the spider 6 may be of one-piece construction, and that solid metallic rods may be used in place-of the tubular rods 8 and secured to said spider in any well-known manner and by anyv suitable well-known means for this purpose. The one.- piece construction of spider 6 may be formedby welding together the two complementary parts thereof.

Spider 6 is adapted to fixedly and rigidly sup-. port a vertically extending mast I2. which is formed from a suitable material, such as, solid steel shafting. For this purpose, spider 6 is ine ternally provided with a central well l3 (Fig, 3A). to receive and provide a seat for the lower end of mast l2. Mast 12 extends upwardly from well l3 through spider 6 and through an elon-1 gated metallic, preferably steel, sleeve or hub 14 which is welded to or formed .integrallylwith said spider and provides a. rigid support forsaidimast;

Mast I2 is removably secured in well I3 and held against relative rotation and upward endwise displacement from spider 6 by suitable means, such as, by a bolt I5 which extends through the wall of said spider and is threaded into said mast. The upper end of mast I2 is provided with a reduced annular portion I6 to receive an anti-friction ball-thrust bearing I! through the medium of which an elongated horizontal whirling frame indicated generally at I8 is supported by the upper "end of mast I2 for relatively frictionless rotation about the latter in a horizontal plane.

The whirling frame I8 comprises a pair of upper relatively long structural steel beams I9, such as, angle irons, which are horizontally disposed in spaced parallel relation and receive therebetween the mast I2. Secured, as by bolts 20, to the opposite extremities of beams I9 are die-stamped, bucket-shaped metallic seats 2I for the riders of the whirl-around devices, said seats also serving to connect said beams together and hold. the same in spaced parallel rela tion. Disposed centrally of beams I9 and betweenthe latter is a rectangular metallic, prefering frame I8 and occupants thereof will be taken by said plate and not by the bolts 23. Plate 22 is formed centrally thereof with an inverted annular cup1 24 to. receive therein the anti-friction ballthrust bearing I'I, said plate also serving to connect beams I9 together and maintain the same in spaced parallel relation. If desired, plate 22 may. be welded or riveted to beams I9, and the cup 24 may be formed by a ring or tubular member welded or otherwise suitably secured to the underside of the plate.

Disposed directly beneath beams I9 and serving as rigid compression braces for said beams is apair of structural steel beams 25, such as, angle irons. Beams 25 are formed with straight central portions 25 which are spaced vertically below and parallel with beams I9, and with upwardly bent angular portions 2! that extend from the straight portions 26 toward beams I9 and are welded, riveted or otherwise suitably secured to opposite ends of the latter. posed between beams 25 and secured, as by bolts 28, tothe straight portions 26 of said beams is a rectangular metallic, preferably steel, plate 29 (Fig. 3) which is formed centrally thereof with an annular cup 30 having an opening 3I therein to permit'mast I2 to extend therethrough. Secured in cup 30, as by a press fit, is a metallic bushing 32 which closely surrounds mast I2. If desired, plate 29 may be welded or riveted to beams 25 and bored to receive mast I2, and the cup 30 may be formed by a ring or tubular member welded or otherwise suitably secured to either sideof said plate. Also, a ball, roller, or needle bearing of any well-known design may be substituted for the bushing 32, if desired.

The pairs of upper and lower beams I9 and 25, respectively, are connected together centrally thereof and further re-enforced by vertically extending structural braces 33, such as, angle irons, which are bolted, but may be welded or riveted, to said-beams. Additional similar braces may be provided at spaced points along the beams I9, 25, if desired.

It will'thus be noted that the whirling frame I8 is 'rotatably suspended from'the top of mast DiS- 4 I2 through the medium of the plate 22 and thrust bearing I7, and is guided for rotation in a horizontal plane without tilting thereof by the bushing 32 and bracing beams 25. It will further be noted that by virtue of the angularly arranged lower bracing beams 25, the whirling frame I8 is rigidly constructed and has a high factor of safety to safely support children of various weights.

Foot rests 34 are provided forwardly of seats 2I for the occupants of the whirling frame I8. These foot rests may be of any suitable form and as herein shown, are in the form of structural steel members, such as angle irons. Foot rests 34 project beyond opposite sides of the whirling frame I8 and are adjustably secured to the angular portions 21 of the lower beams 25 by bolts 35 which may be inserted in any selected pair of a series of longitudinally spaced openings 36 (Fig. 4) formed in beams 25 to locate said foot rests at a desired position forwardly of seats 2|. 3

Motive power to rotate whirling frame IB about mast I2 is supplied by the occupant of one of the seats 2I, and for this purpose a large di-. ameter pulley 31 is located between said frame and base 5 and is .fixed against rotation as by welding to the upper end of sleeve I4. If desired, sleeve I 4 may constitute the hub of pulley 31 and be welded or otherwise suitably secured to spider 6. Pulley 3! is bored to receive mast I2' and'is suitably grooved to receive suitable flexible endless means, such as a V-belt 38 which. passes around said pulley and around a smaller diameter suitably grooved pulley 39. Pulley 39 is secured to the lower end of a vertically extending shaft 40 which is conveniently disposed forwardly of one ofthe seats 2| and between beams I9, 25.

Shaft 40 is journalled adjacent opposite ends thereof in suitable anti-friction bearings 4| and 42 (Fig. 4) that are carried by U-shaped brackets 43 and 44, respectively. A

Bracket 43 is secured to the angular portions 2! of the lower beams 25 by bolts 45 which extend through suitable circular openings in said beam portions and through elongated openings 46 in said bracket and have threaded thereon nuts 41. The elongated openings 49 inbracket 43 enables longitudinal adjustment of said bracket, shaft49, and pulley 39 relative to frame I8 to properly tension belt 38. Bracket 44 is inverted and is secured to, the beams I9 by-bolts48 which extend through elongated openings 49 (Fig.1) in said bracket and through suitable circular openings in said beams and have threaded thereon nuts 50.

, The elongated openings 49 enable longitudinal adjustment of bracket 44 relative to beams I9 to properly align the bearing 42. with the bearing M in all positions of adjustment of the latter. The upper end of shaft 40 is provided with a crank handle 5| for rotating said shaft and pulley 39 thereon. Upon rotation of shaft: 40' and pulley 39, the stationary pulley 31 will cause belt 38 to exert a lateral pull on the whirling" frame I8 at one end thereof and thus rotate said a frame about mast I2.

A fixed handle or holding member 52 is provided for the occupant of the other seat2l, said handle being in the form of a steel rod'w'hich is conveniently disposed forwardly'of said seat and extends upwardly between beams I9,'25 and is secured in any suitable manner to two of said beams. It will be understood that aduplicate operating mechanism'may 'be provided for the occupant of the other seat2 I, whereby the whirling frame I8 may be rotated by either-ome et the occupants or by both occupants. Belt guards 53 are provided to safeguard the occupants against possible injury by belt 38, said guards being secured at corresponding ends thereof to the lower beams by two of the bolts 28, and at the opposite ends thereof to the bracket 43 by bolts 54 and nuts 55 (Fig. 4).

In the illustrated embodiment the level of the seats 2| is approximately fourteen inches from the floor line, thus enabling small children to mount and dismount the whirling frame without assistance and eliminating all danger of any serious mishaps. The overall length of the base rods 8 is the same as the length of the whirling frame, 1. e. approximately six feet in the illustrated embodiment. Thus, the whirl-around device cannot tilt or tip when the occupants thereof are of unequal weights, and requires but a small amount of floor space, thereby enabling use of said device indoors as well as outdoors.

There is thus provided a novel self-propelled whirl-around device which is particularly adapted for the enjoyment and amusement of small children. The whirl-around device is simple and yet strong in construction, it can be inexpensively manufactured, it requires little efiort to operate the same, and it may be used and operated by small children with the utmost safety and with little or no attention.

While only a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing specification, it is to be expressly understood that said invention is not limited to said embodiment. Various changes may be made in the mechanical details, some of which have been suggested in the foregoing description, and in the design and arrangement of the parts illustrated, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. For a definition of the limits of the invention, reference is had primarily to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an amusement device of the character described, a stationary supporting base, a fixed vertical mast supported by said base, an elongated frame rotatably supported on said mast, said frame comprising two unitary horizontal beams disposed on opposite sides of said mast in spaced relation thereto and a unitary brace beneath each of said beams and secured thereto at opposite ends thereof, each brace having a substantially horizontal central portion and end portions in-- clined upwardly therefrom, means including seats at opposite ends of said beams for rigidly connecting the latter together in spaced relation to each other, a plate-like member secured to and spanning the space between the central portions of said beams, bearing means interposed between said plate-like member and the upper end of said mast whereby the frame is rotatably supported, a second plate-like member secured to and spanning the space between the central portions of said braces and having a flanged central opening for receiving said mast, and bearing means in said opening closely surrounding a cylindrical portion of said mast.

2. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 wherein said first-named bearing means is an anti-friction vertical thrust bearing mounted in a recess in said first-named plate-like member.

3. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 comprising a crank rotatably supported by said frame near one of said seats and having a vertical shaft between said beams and braces, a pulley mounted on and rotatable with said shaft below the frame, a stationary pulley mounted on said base below the frame, and a flexible member passing around said pulleys in operative engagement therewith.

4. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 wherein said stationary supporting base comprises a plurality of legs projecting radially from said mast, means for rigidly securing the adjacent ends of said legs together including upper and lower plates having grooves fitting the contour of said legs, said upper plate having a hollow tube secured to and projecting vertically from the center thereof for slidably receiving the lower end portion of said mast, said mast extending through the tube and upper plate and between the adjacent ends of said legs for engagement with said lower plate, and means for securing said mast to the lower plate.

5. An amusement device as defined in claim 4 comprising a crank rotatably supported by said frame near one of said seats and having a vertical shaft between said beams and braces, a pulley mounted on and rotatable with said shaft below the frame, a stationary pulley mounted on said tube below the frame, and a flexible member passing around said pulleys in operative engagement therewith.

JAMES S. EVANS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 168,383 Doremus Oct. 5, 1875 654,154 I-Iile July 24, 1900 843,908 Olson Feb. 12, 1907 1,010,537 Tuttle Dec. 5, 1911 1,020,084 Dunning Mar. 12, 1912 1,313,668 Bourdon Aug. 19, 1919 1,422,766 Jordan July 11, 1922 1,433,285 Kaho Oct. 24, 1922 1,486,669 Kline Mar. 11, 1924 1,619,325 Anderson Mar. 1, 1927 1,736,678 Thornton Nov. 19, 1929 1,739,725 Lamar Dec. 17, 1929 1,925,324 Humphrey Sept. 5, 1933 

